Stage 15 of the Tour de France delivered high drama as Belgium's Tim Wellens snatched victory in a thrilling finale, while France's Julian Alaphilippe was left devastated after a controversial moment of confusion.
Heartbreak for Alaphilippe
Julian Alaphilippe, the beloved French rider, appeared poised for a fairytale stage win on home soil. However, a miscommunication in the final kilometres saw him ease up prematurely, believing the race had been neutralised due to an earlier crash. The peloton, however, had not stopped, leaving Alaphilippe stranded as his rivals powered ahead.
Wellens Seizes the Moment
Lotto-Dstny's Tim Wellens capitalised on the chaos, launching a perfectly timed attack in the closing stages. The experienced Belgian rider held off a fast-charging peloton to claim his first Tour de France stage victory since 2022.
Race Officials Under Scrutiny
The incident has raised questions about race communication protocols, with many fans and pundits criticising the lack of clarity during critical moments. Tour organisers are expected to review procedures to prevent similar confusion in future stages.
As the Tour heads into its final week, the GC battle remains tight, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard maintaining a slender lead over Tadej Pogačar. All eyes now turn to the crucial mountain stages that will likely decide this year's champion.
